"What’s great about music is that when you’re angry, you can do this: and he played Beethoven. And when you’re heartbroken, you can play this: and he played Chopin. All of that is in your heart; you just can’t get it out of your fingers yet. The reason we’re going to practice scales is so that when your heart feels, your fingers will let you express it." ~ from a music teacher.
Who would have guessed that after 20 years of rarely touching a keyboard I would find myself so in love with this inanimate object. From the moment our piano set foot in our home a couple years ago I've discovered a new passion. We don't have furniture in the living room, but we have our grand. I can't even express how much that piano means to me, and this is coming from someone who couldn't wait to QUIT playing the piano at age 15 after nine years of lessons and hours upon hours of practice. Now with some appreciation and maturity, I've discovered that there is something so relaxing, so calming about sitting and playing; feeling the keys under your fingers and stretching your mind to learn a new piece, that after all these years it's become something of an addiction. Who would have guessed that I would enjoy something so much that I once couldn't get away from fast enough? Now there are days I don't even notice how fast time is slipping by while I'm playing and wish I had more time to practice. So, I have to tell my parents "thank-you" for the years of lessons and patience as I learned to play.
I'm grateful for the music that fills our home now that we have a piano that is so expressive; really, it's amazing, the more you put into it, the more it gives back to you (I can't really say that about the Kurzweil ;-). I love hearing the kids practice and especially listen to Chris as he effortlessly plays his favorite Elton John, Jackson Browne, or Billy Joel scores. My favorite time to play is in the evening when the little girls are in bed and the big kids are in their rooms reading . . . that's when I pull out some Jon Schmidt or George Winston and let their soothing melodies resonate throughout the house. I can't think of a better way to unwind at the end of the day - what a blessing.
10 comments:
Hey Julie!
I came across your blog and am enjoying reading it! However, I couldn't possibly be more jealous of you and living in Utah! How I miss 4 seasons!
Also, I'm glad you got a piano. I LOVE to play the piano and have had my 7 ft. long "baby" for about 9 years now. I love having music in my home and it is very therapeutic to play! Anyway, just enjoyed the reading! Check out my blog when you are bored - nowhere near as philosophical, but still fun.
Chris plays? That's great. I'm still waiting for the kids to be old enough to NOT want to play with me, to get any REAL practice time in. It's sad how much I've lost, but I'm enjoying being the mom who says, "Practice your piano!" right now. Now I know what my mom went through to try and give me some culture!
I was just sitting here listening to Brian Crain's "Field of Daisies" and wishing I could play! Maybe I'll take lessons next year when Ainsley starts preschool. Robbie could probably be my teacher by then. :D
i love that post. i need to start playing again.
i'm probably not going to be able to get together for the giftshow this weekend - though THANK YOU for inviting me. weston is out of town and i've had to leave the kids w/ sitters too much already. and my baby cold seems to be turning into something worse?? but don't give up on me. another weekend or time would be great.
and how about that sandi? she is one amazing person.
I'll try that again:
I quit after only one year, so I have far too few piano playing skills to fall back on... }-:
We used to have two pianos in the house, but now we only have one - I gave my childhood piano to Edward Watson's wife recently. She played a solo in church one Sunday, and I turned to Dennis and said I know who needs my piano...
By the way, how come I never heard you play in church...
P.S. I just read this quote from Michael McLean's piano teacher and immediately thought of this post...
What’s great about music is that when you’re angry, you can do this: and he played Beethoven. And when you’re heartbroken, you can play this: and he played Chopin. All of that is in your heart; you just can’t get it out of your fingers yet. The reason we’re going to practice scales is so that when your heart feels, your fingers will let you express it.
LOVE that quote - thanks Lyn - I think I'll put it on this post. Oh, and the reason you've never heard me play in church . . . I fall apart playing in public! Really, primary kids is one thing, the congregation is a whole different story - yikes. Maybe one day :-).
I'm so jealous! I think a baby grand will be our next big purchase. We had a piano for a time, but we bought it used and it wouldn't hold a tune.... I miss, miss, miss it. I quit piano at about 15 too, and I have to practice forever to play anything well, but I really want music in our home again. enjoy!
I never took piano growing up, so I've been pretty stubborn about making my kids learn. It's nice to hear that you appreciate now what you didn't then - gives me hope!
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